The new movie from the same team that brought you the excellent Detective Dee flick (well worth seeing), now bring you Tai Chi O, a fighting fantasy of a young Tai Chi master who must defeat a steampunk-equipped force attacking his region of China. Hey, you had me at Tai Chi master! Here’s the trailer…

Tai Chi O is the first in a planned trilogy of films from Chen Kuofu, the producer of Detective Dee and the Mystery of Phantom Flame. Directed by Stephen Fung with Sammo Hung (Ip Man 2) serving as Action Director, Tai Chi O, stars William Feng, Eddie Peng and Angelababy. The film was acquired from Huayi Brothers Media in a deal negotiated between Leslie Chen on behalf of the company, and Doris Pfardrescher, President of Well Go USA. The film will be released in the US and Canada in early 2013.

As an uncommonly gifted child, Yang Luchan had a fleshy abnormality that holds tremendous power growing on his forehead. However, being teased as the town fool, Yang’s mother spurs him to practice martial arts, and following her wishes, Yang travels to the distant Chen Village to learn TAI CHI. At this legendary village everyone practices TAI CHI and uses TAI CHI in every aspect of their lives. Nevertheless, it is forbidden for a villager to disclose TAI CHI to an outsider, which Yang learns the hard way.

Upon arriving at the village, locals discourage Yang by challenging him with fights. From the strong men to old ladies to children, everyone defeats Yang with their TAI CHI moves. After facing the toughest battle and being defeated by Master Chen’s beautiful daughter Yuniang, Yang is determined to master the art of TAI CHI and goes in search of Master Chen. Little does Yang know, the poor strange man who he befriended is in fact Master Chen who had saved him from the duel with Yuniang. Master Chen realizes Yang’s genius and disguises himself to secretly guide Yang to his self realization of TAI CHI.

One day, a frightening steam-powered machine comes to the village, lead by Fang Zijing, a childhood friend of Yuniang. He has bribed government officials to permit him to build a railway that will run straight through the village. Yang decides to join forces with Yuniang to defeat Fang Zijing and destroy the machine. This brave act may just win him the hearts of the villagers.